Sunday, July 28, 2013

Almost to the day, a year ago, I was sailing aboard ‘Ladybird’,
a Seawych 19’ that I once owned. I sold her to my daughter, who in turn sold
her to the present owner. A year ago I accepted an invitation for a sail on ‘Ladybird’.
(See link below.)

This evening I’m off to Burnham for a re-acquaintance, and
to join ship at the start of a short cruise, perhaps lasting two or three days.
I am to crew and to help with the navigation. The plan is to sail to Bradwell
Marina on Monday, and return on Tuesday. The forecast is for S by W Force 4 to
5. The direction is good for the outward trip, but the strength is more than we
shall want.

Returning via the Swin Spitway on Tuesday, could be problematical,
because the wind will continue at Force 4, but instead of coming from S by W, it
will come from the SW. Inevitably this will mean the wind will be on the nose,
and since the tide will be against the wind after our arrival at the Spitway we
can expect broken water from there into the Crouch. Progress will be slow, and
the sailing challenging – that’s if we go ahead with it.

The forecast for Wednesday is better, because the wind will drop
to Force 3. Unfortunately, it will come from the SW – exactly the opposite of
what we would want. There will be light showers on the afternoons of Monday and
Wednesday. Thankfully, Tuesday appears to be free of precipitation.

Early on Monday morning, after listening to the Shipping
Forecast, we’ll decide whether to go ahead with the planned cruise, or to do
something different.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Back in January, 2010 I wrote an article about William H.
Longyard’s unique homebuilt, self-designed trailer-sailer, ‘Lucky Town 7’.
(First link, below.) William spent 10 years designing this rather special
sailboat that can be kept in a garage, trailed behind a medium size car, and
sailed along the coast - even, according to William, she’s suitable for blue
water cruising.

At the time of writing my first article, building plans were
not available, but now they can be purchased from Duckwork’s for the modest sum
of $40.(Second link, below.)

It is not my intention to repeat things I’ve already said.
Instead I want to draw your attention to the links below that provide
information about ‘Lucky Town 7’. She’s a small boat with numerous useful
features seldom found in production boats of equivalent size; for example, a flushing
toilet and provision for a shower. In some respects she’s like a Matt Layden
Paradox, but with a drop keel instead of chine runners. As with Paradox, she can
be managed from below, but she does have the
advantage of a small cockpit. Her single junk sail makes for instant reefing,
with minimal effort and maximum safety.

If I were considering building a boat, she would be high on my
list of potential candidates.

Friday, July 26, 2013

‘Marsh Duck’ is an 18’ sailing and rowing decked canoe with
an aft sleeping cabin. She was designed by Scott Domergue to satisfy his desire
for a lightweight, economical cruising boat. She can be trailed behind a
folding bike that in turn can be stowed aboard. She is light enough for transporting
on the roof rack of a small car. Altogether, including rowing and sailing gear,
she weighs 150 lbs, and she is able take a payload of 800 lbs. Her 6’ 4” aft
cabin provides room for one person to bed down overnight, and it is possible
for a second person to sleep in the cockpit under a boom tent.

Ballast takes the form of drinking water in containers, food
and cruising gear stowed under the cockpit. One of Scot’s aims was to make the
boat self-righting, which in fact did not prove to be the case when tested.** However,
he righted her from an induced capsize, and he was pleasantly surprised how very little water entered the boat. He
intends to make her hatches watertight and to add extra sealable compartments.
Because he felt the boat was under-canvassed he redesigned the rig to have a
larger, fully battened sail.

Building plans are available from Chuck and Sandra Leinweber
at their Duckworks Boat Store*- The cost is $125, plus a handling fee, or they
can be downloaded directly to a computer for $100.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

'Scamp' is an 11’ 11” by 5’ 4” day-sailer, capable of being
cruised by a hardy soul or perhaps two toughies that enjoy each other’s company.
This remarkable little boat can be trailed behind a medium size car and she can
be built by amateurs. Small enough to fit into an average garage, she will be
cheap to keep. 'Scamp' plans, drawn by John Welsford, can be obtained from
Duckworks Builders Supplies*in the US. People outside the US and Canada will
have to part with $163.50. This includes a shipping fee of $14.50.
Within the US, plans and shipping amount to $158.50.

Gig Harbor Boat Works will be building a fibreglass version.
(See last link.)

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

If you are a regular reader of this blog you will know that
I am selling my ‘C’ Type West Wight Potter, not because there is anything wrong
with her, or Potters in general, but because every two or three years I take on
a new sailboat project.

Each venture brings with it challenges that stimulate and
excite me.

Firstly, if it is building a boat, I am spurred into action because
of the prospect of owning her, and I look forward to the fun I may have building
her. I am keenly interested in discovering how she will perform and if she will
meet my expectations. Will she do what her designer claims?

Secondly, if it is renovating and re-commissioning a boat, I
always want to make her better than she was when I took her on. Such was the
case with ‘Sandpiper’, my WWP that is for sale. I have given her a new lease of life. She is once again a functioning trailer-sailer. Had she been launched when I bought her she
would have sunk! Areas either side of the centreplate case through which the
support bolt passed had disintegrated. I rebuilt and strengthened the
case, making it structurally sounder than the original. I’m pleased
to say that not a single drop of water has entered the boat. She is
totally watertight, both hull and deck. In the biggest seas and heaviest downpours her interior remains
dry.

I was thoroughly pleased with my project. ‘Sandpiper’ came
out of it with flying colours. During my 66 day cruise along the South Coast of
England she looked after me, and her sailing performance was far better than I
imagined. The most important lesson I learnt for getting the best
out of her, was to always have the right amount of sail. Her furling Genoa was of enormous value, because sail could be
reduced or increased in seconds. Reefing the mainsail by manually rolling it
around the boom was easy, providing it was done when the boat was hove to.

Ian

Ian Turner is re-commissioning a ‘D’ Type WWP. On Tuesday, he
had a look at ‘Sandpiper’, not with a view to buying her, but for comparing her
with his boat. I feel sure it was a profitable visit, because he took photos of
‘Sandpiper’ for future reference. It was a pleasure meeting
Ian, and I wish him all the best with his worthwhile project. (See 2nd link below.)

There are literally thousands of Potter owners throughout
the world - people like Ian and me. You can learn more of these fantastic boats
by clicking links below, and if you want to get hold of a good one, you need
look no further. Click the first link.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

There was a famous small sailing cruiser with the name, ‘Happy’.
She was owned by Howard Wayne Smith who attempted to take John Guzzwell’s
circumnavigation record from him. In 1959 John completed a circumnavigation of
the world in ‘Trekka’, a 21’ yacht, the smallest to do it at the time. (You can
read more by clicking the second link below.)

Between 1983 and 1987 Serge Testa sailed his aluminium, 11’
10” micro yacht around the world to become the record holder for circumnavigating
in the smallest vessel.

Guzzwell, Smith and Testa stopped at various ports. Through
misfortune Smith never completed a circumnavigation in ‘Happy’, because his
boat foundered on Nouméa Reef, New Caledonia. In
pursuit of his dream, he built ‘Happy 11’, a 9’ 6” aluminium yacht, but again
his ambition was thwarted because she was confiscated by the Australian Customs!

Testa remains the
record holder.

These sailors pursued their dreams –possibly in search of happiness. En route, all three suffered
times of fear and hardship, times of great danger. Ultimately, two of them
could look back and feel the glow of satisfaction because their dreams were
realized.

Sven Yrvind is building a shorter boat than Testa’s, with
the aim of completing a non-stop voyage around the world. Now, that’s some
dream! But on past achievements, if anyone can do it, Sven must be a candidate.

There is no way that I can compare my ‘voyages’ and ‘achievements’
with those mentioned, but I can, and do look back with much satisfaction because
of good fortune in my life, especially the blessings God has bestowed upon me.1 Timothy 6:6 'Now godliness with contentment is great gain.'

Monday, July 22, 2013

As you may know, my
West Wight Potter, ‘Sandpiper’ is for sale. Details can be found at Ebay.co.uk
by keying in the following number into the Ebay Search Box: 161065836009. A
fair amount of interest has been shown. At the time of writing, the advert has
been looked at 365 times in 9 days and there are 29 watchers.

If you read the description carefully you will see that I am
open to offers. I have had one offer to
date, but it was for less than I would accept. To see her taken on by a new
caring owner I am now prepared to include the road trailer – offers should be
over £1,400 with the trailer and more than £1,200 without.

Whoever gets her will
have a bargain. Included in the sale there is a solar charger, an almost brand
new 12 v battery, a single-burner camping stove, an anchor and warp, and a
lifting outboard bracket. None of these things were with the boat when I bought
her. Furthermore, I repaired and reinforced the centreplate case, and I had the
centreplate freshly galvanized. I re-cut the mainsail and Genoa and fitted new
stainless steel shrouds. All of the woodwork has just been varnished and the
rudder painted.

‘Sandpiper’ is ready to go. You could be sailing her right
away.

My mobile number is 07588288060. Give me a buzz, and if I’m
at home, I’ll call back to any UK mainline phone. Alternatively you could contact
me by using the Blogspot email facility.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

A longstanding friend who owns a Vivacity 20 recently invited
me for a sail from Titchmarsh Marina to Harwich. We had a great time
together.

We left the Marina at 09.45 under engine and we motor-sailed
until beyond Walton Channel Number 2 Buoy in Pennyhole Bay. From there we tacked
towards Landguard Container Terminal at Felixstowe docks. Sea conditions were
choppy because the ebb from the Backwaters off Dovercourt was contrary to the
wind. Cold sea mist unexpectedly approached and rapidly swirled around us,
reducing visibility until we could hardly see vessels berthed at the Container
Terminal.

On approaching Harwich Breakwater, a back-eddy helped us around it
into shallows adjacent to Harwich beach. Lobster pot floats to the
southeast of moorings close to the beach indicated that the back-eddy was still
in our favour. From there on, the wind was from the starboard quarter enabling us to
make over the ebb that was exiting from the rivers Orwell and Stour. The mist had
lifted and the sun warmed us.

None of the big container vessels were underway, but lots of
yachts were coming and going. We passed Shotley Spit South Cardinal Buoy to
port and followed the recommended track for pleasure craft leading into the
River Orwell. We continued as far as Suffolk Yacht Harbour, and there at about 13.20
we stopped for lunch.

I had parked my car not far from Halfpenny Pier at Harwich,
so the plan was to moor there at the end of our sail, and my friend would
remain on the boat for the night before returning to Titchmarsh the next day.

After lunch we made
full sail and headed for Halfpenny Pier, but we could not go directly there
because a lifeboat and helicopter exercise was in progress. We sailed a short
distance into the Stour, took in sail and started the engine. By then the
lifeboat and helicopter had finished what they were doing, leaving us free to
head for the Pier.

My friend changed his mind about staying there for the
night, and instead of mooring the boat he brought her alongside the pontoon. I
waved him goodbye, and he continued to Titchmarsh Marina.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

On Saturday, 15th June I caught the bus to Looe
with the purpose of seeing the Looe Lugger Festival and also to reconnoitre the
harbour on the off chance that I might put in there on my way to Falmouth. It
wasn’t until Tuesday, 18th June that I sailed from Plymouth bound
for Fowey. I considered stopping at Looe for a night before continuing to Fowey,
but the desire to continue west put paid to that idea.

The Looe Lugger Festival did not disappoint. Hundreds of
sightseers were there and the atmosphere was festive.

This is the last of the series of photos illustrating my
Pottering Cruise. I’ve had fun reviewing them and making them available to
viewers for downloading to their computers for personal use.

Friday, July 19, 2013

On a cruise such as I undertook along the South Coast of
England, inevitably I found myself stormbound in harbours, creeks and marinas,
and many days were spent with ‘Sandpiper’ tied up to pontoons or at anchor. I
was never bored when in harbour or at anchor, because boats and people were for
ever on the move – boats entering or leaving harbour, and their crews coming and going
on foot or by tender.

There were many opportunities for taking photos of what went
on. If people were the subject, the best snapshots came about when they were
unaware they were being photographed. Fishing vessels were often the most
colourful subject, and working boats such as ferries and dredgers were always fascinating
because of their manoeuvrings and because of their functional design.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

I never tire of looking at boats. In common they displace a
volume of water equal to their own weight. The majority of them are designed to
move on the surface of the water for the purpose of conveying something or
persons from one place to another. Submersibles can float under the surface of
the water. Remotely controlled vessels such as those used for underwater
explorations or for military purposes may dispense with a crew.

The requirements of function for purpose determines the
nature of the hull and the means of propulsion. Within that formula the variety
of shape and form devised by their designers is mind-boggling. Considering the
category of sailing vessels alone, there are numerous permutations of sail,
rigging and hull types. Subdividing sailing vessels into various function
types, there are those designed for carrying cargo, although very few today,
and for pleasure there are cruising and racing yachts, dinghies and innumerable
small wind driven boats.

Therefore, during my Pottering Cruise along the South Coast
of England, I inevitably saw many different types of vessels. A selection of
photos displayed here can give you an inkling of the variety.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Every day we look briefly at things and dismiss them because
they are of no significance or of no importance at the time. What we see is not
crucial to our survival, nor does it have any bearing on what really concerns
us at that moment. We don’t want to waste time looking at these things, just as
we don’t want to waste time waiting at traffic lights! On the other hand we don’t
glimpse at traffic lights, but we pay attention to them, for our very lives can
be threatened if we ignore them.

When cruising my boat my senses are heightened and I am
aware of what is happening at all times. The great majority of decisions for action arise from
things seen, heard, felt, smelled or tasted. The sense of sight is the most
informative. Our eyes are designed for immediately detecting anything that
moves, particularly objects that may threaten us by travelling towards us. Even
the tiniest gnat is detected.

This heightened awareness when cruising my boat tends to
make me more conscious of things I would normally only glance at. Everything
becomes important, not just when sailing, but when ashore perhaps doing the shopping,
riding on a bus or going for a walk. Even chatting with people becomes a new
experience because of this heightened awareness. Attention spans are increased
and the recall of recent happenings improves. Memorization vastly improves. No longer
does the brain resemble a cabbage; it becomes a live, active, functioning
organism. The little grey cells become sparks of fire that send tingling
sensations down the spine. One becomes alive.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

During my cruise there were times when the wind ceased, and
there were moments of peace and calm. Way up the river Tamar at Calstock where ‘Sandpiper’
was well sheltered, she and I shared precious moments of equanimity. She felt the
tickling current that slid clumps of floating reeds and rotting leaves along
her sides, and I heard their plaintive sighs.

From my floating island I surveyed the richness of the scene;
inverted wiggling images, tints, tones, amorphous reflections that slowly danced
for my delight. Birdsong filled the air, and the sky was acid blue. My old and
abandoned yacht ‘Aziz’ forlornly looked on from amidst others clustered at the boatyard.
She asked, “Why?” I had no answer. I could only remember times we had together,
good and bad.

I was full of gratitude for shared moments as I reflected on the
past.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Here’s a bulletin to let readers know that I’ve advertised ‘Sandpiper’
for sale. Details can be found at Ebay.co.uk. Insert the following number into
the Ebay search box: 161065836009, or key in: West Wight Potter ‘C’ Type.

I would prefer to sell her without her trailer, because I
shall want one for the next project. However, regarding the sale of ‘Sandpiper’,
I am open to negotiating a deal with someone who will care for her.

If you want a West Wight Potter, there’s probably not
another that has been tested so thoroughly. Everything works. She’s not the
best cosmetically, but she is sound and reliable.

Give me a buzz on my mobile (07588288060). If you are
calling from a UK land line, and I am at home, I shall be able to phone you
back free of charge.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

The coastal yachtsman is ever conscious of the proximity of
the shore and possible dangers as a result. During my South Coast cruise I was
tuned in to the rise and fall of the tides, almost as a woman is constantly
aware of her monthly cycle. Tides and a female’s monthly cycles are linked, in
that they occur over periods of 28 days, that’s not to say that every woman has
her period at the same time. The moon’s complete cycle from full to new takes 28
days. There are 13 lunar months in a year. 13 times 28 equal 364 days,
approximately 365 days for the completion of a year. How wondrous is that!

Forces involved with the rise and fall of tides are
stupendous; likewise the lateral movement of the oceans’ waters brought about
by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon are mind-boggling. In my little
boat I was very conscious of their awesome power. Wherever and whenever
possible I worked in harmony with tidal flows and ebbs. To fight them was not a
wise policy.

The boundary between sea and land is a fascinating environment
where moving waters wage wars of erosion, or they build up silt, sand or pebbles;
they can wash them away or set layers of marshland reshaping the coast.

From
seaward the yachtsman has an ever-changing scene; perhaps chalk cliffs, granite
cliffs, red sandstone escarpments, sand dunes, pebble beaches, glorious sandy
beaches, tree-clad slopes, bracken covered mounds - the list is endless. They
are all for the enjoyment of the yachtsman, unless they become places of danger
when onshore gales remorselessly sweep over them.

God’s Word, the Bible,
reassures us that the oceans of the world will never again cover the earth as during
the worldwide Flood. (Genesis 9:11) The boundary between sea and land will be
maintained.

Psalm 104 speaks of the Creation when God allotted the
oceans to their places, setting boundaries for them.